Integration of CSP and PV: The way forward?

Combined CSP + PV solar park (rendering). Image courtesy of SolarReserve.

Three projects combining CSP and PV technologies have been announced in Chile and South Africa over the last year. Developers involved indicate this integration offers significant advantages in terms of providing lower energy tariffs and securing grid stability.

CSP Today looks into these benefits as well as the challenges associated with developing these projects.

By Ángela Castillo

The projects

In May 2014, the US-based developer SolarReserve announced its Copiapó CSP-PV hybrid project in Chile. It will be comprised of two 130 MW CSP solar towers with 14 hours of molten salt-based storage, combined with a 150 MW PV plant that is integrated into a facility which provides 260 MW of 24/7 baseload power.

The company also revealed it is working on the development of two additional sites, involving projects combining CSP and PV technologies. The projects will total 800 MW and will be developed in the country within the next four years.

Similarly, in December 2014, the same company and its Saudi Arabian partner, ACWA Power, were awarded preferred bidder status for their Redstone CSP Project, under Window 3.5 of South Africa’s Renewable...